Open a session or create a new session. In the Mix window, select a track containing a sound file. To use SFX Machine Pro for RTAS as an insert effect, make sure the Inserts are shown by selecting View > Mix Window > Inserts. In the Inserts panel, choose multichannel plug-in > Effect > SFX Machine Pro (stereo). See your Pro Tools documentation for more detailed information about how to invoke RTAS plug-ins, including how to use them as auxiliary effects.

To fine-tune
the slider values, hold down the shift key while clicking
on the body of the slider. Also, you can click on the body of the
slider to make the indicator scroll instantly toward the mouse
cursor.

To restart
an effect in the middle of audio playback, click on the
preset name in the Preset list box again. This is especially cool
for effects like Freeze Pan (in the Multitap category).

Command-c, command-x,
and command-v (Macintosh) or control-c, control-x, and control-v
(Windows) can be used to copy, cut, and paste to
and from any of the numerical or comment text fields.

How
can I edit the Min and Max slider values?

The slider ranges
can be edited by double-clicking on the Min and Max Value text fields.
Adjust listening levels very conservatively when doing this, because
presets can easily become unstable, causing loud sounds.

Why
do some parameters need values of up to 200% or higher? For example,
why does the Sitar Drone patch use a feedback of 198%? Shouldn’t
it be half of that?

This typically
happens because multiple signals are being mixed together. SFX Machine
Pro averages signals together instead of adding them, to avoid large
amplitude variations. Because signals are averaged, you may need
to use values greater than 100%. You can calculate the percentage
to enter by multiplying the desired value by the number of signals
modulating the parameter. Don’t be afraid to use values of
200%, 400%, etc., if needed.

Why
doesn't it affect the sound when I change a field in the Preset Editor?

There are many
possible reasons for this. Try systematically isolating sections
of the patch, or routing signals to the output to see what’s
going on.

How do I use Host Tempo Sync?

If you would like to sync LFO frequencies and delay line lengths to your sequencer's tempo, click the "Tempo Sync" button. This will quantize all frequencies < 20 Hz and delay line lengths > 50 ms. to the nearest power-of-two multiple of your sequencer's tempo, and relevant sliders will be displayed in units of multiples of the host tempo.

To revert to the original values, unclick the "Tempo Sync" button.

Why
didn't it change the frequency or delay value(s) when I clicked on
the Tempo Sync button?

Tempo Sync only
affects frequencies and time delays in the sub-audio range (i.e.,
frequencies under 20 Hz, or delays over 50 ms.).

For more info on
using Host Tempo Sync, allow me to refer you to our friendly
manual.

How
do I use the "MIDI Learn" feature?

If you want to
control any of the sliders with MIDI CC messages, you need to first
assign specific CCs to the sliders. This is done with a simple "MIDI
Learn" system.

To put a slider
in MIDI Learn mode:

Activate the
slider by control-clicking on the slider itself, not on the MIDI Learn light. You can also simply right-click on the slider
if your mouse has more than one button. You will see the blue light
above the slider handle light up, as will the MIDI Learn light.
This means that it is in MIDI Learn mode.

Host
Programs & Formats

Most host applications
include extra buttons and controls in every plugin's window. You
should see a button called "save" or "S", or
maybe a menu called "file" or "presets" in
which you'll find a menu item for saving a preset file. It varies
from app to app, but it's generally similar in all cases.

After invoking
that control, you should be greeted with a window asking for a
file name and location for the preset file. Enter a name and location
and press the "Save" button (or "OK" or whatever
the window says). For maximum compatibility, save presets with
an .fxp extension.

To load
the preset you just saved:

Look for a control
in the plugin window called "load" or "L" or
something like that (depending on the host program).

After invoking
that control, you should be greeted with a window asking you to
find the location of the preset file that you would like to load.
Find it and press the "Open" button (or "OK" or
whatever it says).

To save
a new bank of presets:

Look for a "save
bank" control. (The name may vary from one app to another.)

After invoking
that control, you should be greeted with a window asking for a
file name and location for the preset bank file. Enter a name and
location and press the "Save" button (or "OK" or
whatever the window says). For maximum compatibility, save preset
banks with a .fxb extension.

To load
the preset bank you just saved:

Look for a "load
bank" control. (The name may vary from one app to another.)

After invoking
that control, you should be greeted with a window asking you to
find the location of the preset bank file that you would like to
load. Find it and press the "Open" button (or "OK" or
whatever it says).

Note that not all
host programs support loading and saving of preset banks.

Where
can I save my custom presets?

If your host program
supports saving and loading of presets, you can save
your new presets anywhere you want. Note that the next time you launch
SFX Machine Pro for RTAS, you will see the factory presets, not your custom
presets; if you want to load your custom presets, just use the host's
Load button to load them from whatever directory you saved them to.

If your host program supports saving an entire bank of custom
presets, you might want to load your custom presets
into the "User Presets" category (which can serve as your
custom preset category), then save all your presets as a bank so
you can reload them later.

Is
there a way to create new presets from scratch?

Yes, SFX Machine
Pro RTAS provides a Preset Editor which allows you to directly access
any and all of the modular synthesis parameters that make up a given
effect. See the manual for more details.

Miscellaneous
/ Support

How can I upgrade from
a previous version?

E-mail us your serial
number or other proof of purchase, and we'll let you know how to obtain
the discount.

Does SFX Machine Pro for RTAS include the VST and/or Audio Unit
versions?

No, it only includes the Mac and PC RTAS versions.

However, if you go to
the order
page and click on the "Add to Cart" button, the next page will offer an 80% discount for
adding SFX Machine Pro (VST and Audio Unit) for Macintosh or SFX Machine Pro (VST) for Windows.

SFX Machine™, SFX Machine RT™, SFX Machine Pro™ and SFX Machine Pro™ for RTAS are trademarks of The Sound Guy, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation, registered in the U.S. and other countries.
VST is a trademark of Steinberg Soft- und Hardware GmbH.
Digidesign, Pro Tools and RTAS are trademarks of or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries.
Other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and should be treated as such.